LAUSD board approves Marshall High repairs

The historic tower and the administration building at John Marshall High School in the Los Feliz area will be repaired after the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education approved the $11 million project last week. The board also approved a $160,000 project to modernize the school’s auditorium. (Courtesy photo)

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education has unanimously approved nearly $11 million in repairs for the historic tower and the administration building at John Marshall High School. The board also approved a $160,000 investment to modernize the school’s auditorium.

The original project, approved in August 2012, was slated to only repair the exterior facade of the administration building’s tower. The newly defined project will include the replacement of the roofing, repairs and improvements to the historic tower, seismic strengthening and accessibility upgrades to the entrance of the school.

The tower repairs were initially triggered by deteriorated and failing building elements. Further studies were conducted after the initial project was approved in 2012, and additional deficient building conditions, such as water intrusion, were discovered in both the administration building and the tower.

“I am overjoyed that the board has voted to fund the repairs to this historic building,” Principal Patricia Heideman said. “The building is incredibly important to the community around Marshall and the alumni who have been so supportive of our students. The beautiful structure is symbolic of the legacy that Marshall has maintained throughout the years and is very dear to our community.”

Additionally, the school board approved funding to begin modernizing the school’s auditorium. That effort was inspired by Heideman and community members in order to renovate the auditorium to beautify the space and to increase the auditorium’s sound quality to meet the needs of the visual and performing arts programs at the school.

“We know that Marshall High School is extremely special to this community because of its close ties with the Los Feliz family,” said Ref Rodriguez, who represents District 5 where Marshall High is located on the school board. “I appreciate the advocacy of the parents, alumni, neighbors, and community members that support Marshall High, which is why my office has chosen to financially support the renovation of the school’s historic auditorium.”

Heideman said she welcomes the repair to the auditorium.

“We are grateful that the board and Dr. Rodriguez, in particular, recognize and are willing to support the desperately needed improvements to the auditorium to make it more functional. On behalf of the John Marshall High School community, I offer my sincere gratitude to the LAUSD.”